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A  High  Rise  Planning  Study    Shanghai    In June of 2011, I traveled to Shanghai to meet with the Guang Group project team to kickoff the planning and design of a major mixed-use project in the suburbs. The following probe / sketch book begins to test some of the client presumptions and opportunity. The program, density, F.A.R. and massing was originally approved from the initial master plan and the never completed project has footings in place for the first phase high rise and hotel. The sketches and comments are onsite observations and are meant only for information rather than design direction. That being said, the client group and their partner do have a quality / character in mind that will help to establish a Guang Group in Shanghai. This project is the first entry into the Shanghai market and will be followed by others that are currently under development. The significance of the project is underscored by the fact that its project manager is Guang

President, Larry Zhang. Lewis T. May, FASLA

   

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The site is in the Shanghai suburbs and is partially developed. Vehicular access is from the east, primarily with partial southern and northern connectors. A subway stop is being created along the southern edge affording a pedestrian link to the site. A creek parallels the southern edge to the property and will require remediation to accommodate pedestrian access to the subway station. The high speed rail linking Beijing and Shanghai lies west of the site about a mile away. Major roadways are parallel to the east and south property edges.

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Gakuen Cocoon Tower

The Guang Group wants to make a statement with an iconic building and this image generated lots of discussion.

The site is featureless and very low / flood prone. It is approximately 40 acres in size, rectilinear and barren of trees and vegetation. Structural foundations are in place for the 24 story tower and 9 story hotel. Drawings do exist for what was proposed initially but was not completed. These footprints and F.A.R. are already established for Phase One. First task is to re-think the original project and create a much more

-skin, but a lot more. Phase Two is up to us but as originally planned, it is comprised of four 19 story commercial / office towers.

Al Dana at Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi, UAE

As part of the work sessions Lewis presented numerous tower scenarios and the high rise on the right side of the Al Dana image was of interest to them.

The long narrow site is configured with a mix of uses already approved by the local authorities though the layout is flexible the F.A.R. is set. An unusual discussion was to design the office towers with a floor to floor height of 5.2 meters to be client converted to two floors in future phases.

The mix of uses lends itself to a lively destination of residential,

is to be removed and the site re-developed.

The project must be respondent to modest budget and proforma. However the adjacent sketch was done for Larry on one of several attempts to communicate the perimeter wall complexity as a driver of project costs. The rents of downtown Shanghai respondent to a costly or luxurious façade. Simple yet unique will be an appropriate aesthetic.

Gakuen Spiral Tower

Though the Gakuen Tower was one of the preferred images presented to the client group, Lewis reminded the team that variance from a simple form could be a serious cost issue.

Ocean Heights

selected by the client as possibly representative of the character they liked for the towers in Shanghai.

The Shanghai that reflects the suburban nature of the development. The obvious nod to downtown and its iconic

interested in mimicking for their project. Two towers adjacent to our site were less than what they expected as well. The existing towers, though new and 90%

A well designed streetscape/access can create a significant site amenity for the development. The entry way gets the

The entry drive, an east / west connector, is a possible site form giver. Access from the north and south is limited and does little to evoke a positive entry statement. A well designed cross-section and a significant landscape scheme can create a dramatic approach to the development. The north edge is built-out with high rises

subway constraining access.

34 story high rise above a podium base retail / commercial center. A parking garage will serve both the signature office tower

like development is to be phase #1 of the project.

The high rise image entryway phase #1 should be designed as a destination and gathering space. It should be inviting and lively.

An idea discussed was to have the four buildings in the rear of the site act as a single or standalone element. The massing is peculiar and the constructability complicated and costly. To best reflect the modest budget requirements, a much more straight-forward design response is required..

character described by the client on site in Shanghai. A simplified skin and floor plate would also better reflect the project budget and construction costs.

Agato Asymmetrical Cut Out

Ornamental Top Setbacks Tapered Top Wedge Cuts

Asymmetrical

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Ken  Bailey,  Studio  Director,  receives  direction  from  Lewis.  

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